Rivet squeezer



Jan. 30, 1945. R. M RANDALL ETAL 2,368,378

RIVET SQUEEZER Filed April 23, 1941 2 SheetS-Shehat 1I INVENToRs.

Roe/MR/zaall and Eze/i022 jfanaeK/Zle Jan. 30, 1 945. R. M. RANDALL|:rAL f 2,368,378

' RIvET sQUEE'zER l Filed Aprill 23, V1941 l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 30, 17945 Robot-t M. Randall and Burton o. Mandeville,

San Diego, Calif.

vOur invention relates to a rivet squeezer, more particularly a rivetsqueezer which is arranged to clinch rivets of various sizes and lengthsvand the objects of our inventionv are zl First, to provide a rivetsqueezer of this class `in `which the rivet squeezing plunger isreciprocally-mounted and is so actuated that it exerts an equal amountof pressure on the rivets being squeezed at various adjustedpositionsofsaid rivet relatively with said rivetl squeezing plunger;

Second, to provide a rivet squeezer of this class in which a pistonactuated wedge is shiftably operated between a stationary roller and ashiftable roller for imparting a uniform gradual pressure on saidshiftable roller at various positions of said wedge relatively with saidrollers;

Third, to provide a rivet squeezer of this class in `,which a pistonoperated wedge in operative relation with a rivet squeezing plunger iscontrolled `by a pressure valve positioned at the pressure side of saidpiston whereby successive rivets being squeezed by our rivet squeezerare uniformly clinched to a predetermined form;

z Fourth, to provide a rivet squeezer of this class in whicha dial inconnection with the pressure valve of our` rivet squeezer affords deniteadjusting graduations corresponding to various diameter sized rivetswhereby said dial may be set for a predetermined-pressure which willclinch a certain diameter sized rivet in our rivet squeezer; Fifth, toprovide a rivet squeezer of `this class in which a number' of successiverivets may be -satisfactorily clinched to a certain predetermined ,formautomatically and in uniform relation with each other so'that the rivetsdo not require in-- spection;

Sixth, to provide a novel rivet squeezer of this class; Seventh, toprovide a rivet squeezerof this-class which is very simple to operateand requires a relatively small amount of attention in the c1inch fingoperation of rivets thereby; and

Eighth, to provide a rivet squeezer of this class which is very simpleand economical of. construction, eicient in its action and which willnot readily deteriorate orget out of order. frWith these and otherobjectsin View aswill appear hereinafter, our invention consists of cer-`tain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement ofparts and portions as will -be hereinafter described in detail and.particularly set forth in the appended` claims, reference being hadtothe accompanying drawings and to .the characters of reference thereonwhich form a part of-this application in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of our rivet squeezer takenfrom the line rI---I vof Fig. 2 and showing parts and` portions inelevation to -facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a fragmentarysectional view takenfrom the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

`showing parts and portionsv in elevationto facilitate theAillustration; Fig.- 3 is Ha'fragmentary sectional viewtaken from theline 3-3 of Fig. 1,; Fig. 4 isa fragmentary top or plan viewy of ourrivet squeezer taken from .the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 showingportionsbroken awayand in section to facilitate theillustration and Fig.5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of our `rivet squeezer taken`from the line 5-5 of Fig.l 4 showing portions broken away'to facilitatothe illustration.

Y Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts -and portionsthroughout the `several views of the drawings: f

The pressure cylinder I, piston 2, piston rod 3, wedge member 4, casing5,yoke 6, piston rod guiding rollers 'I and8, wedge guiding-.roller 9,shiftable Iroller II),v roller supporting lever II, rivet squeezingplunger I2,.plunger supporting spring I3, adjusting screw I4,pressurevregulating valve I5, valve operating gears I6 Y and II, dialandbracket member I8 andthe dial pointer I9 constitute the principal partsand portions of our The pressure cylinderA I isl arranged to confine thepiston 2, as shownfin Fig. l of thel drawings,- and ythis cylinder I isa substantially conventional cylinder -in which the piston 2 isreciprocally .mounted in the conventional mannery as shown in Fig. lofthe drawings.

In communicative relation with the interior of the cylinder I at thepressure side of theepiston 2 is a valve mecha- The piston rod a isconnected with the piston 2 and is a cylindrically shapedrodreciprocally mounted in the end portion 5a of the' casing 5, as`

shownbest in Fig; 1 of the drawings.. It will be noted that they endportion l 5a of the casing 5 `forms a partial closure for the end of thecylinder I. The piston rod 3 is providedwith spaced tongue portions 3aat its opposite'end'from the'piston 2, as shown best in Figp3. of thedrawings."

Positioned intermediate these tongue portions 3a is the end portion 4aof the wedge member 4. Positioned at opposite sides of the end portion4a of the Wedge member 4 and outwardly of the tongue portions 3a of thepiston rod 3 are the piston rod. guiding rollers 'l and 8. These pistonrod guiding rollers I and 8 are mounted on an axle 8a which is insertedthrough the tongue portions 3a of the piston rod 3 and the end portion4a of the wedge member 4, all as shown best in Figs. 1 and 3 of thedrawings, It will be obvious that the end portion 4a of the wedge member4 is pivot- The plunger supporting spring I3 is provided with opposedresilient coil portions I3a and the ally mounted on the axle 8a and isarranged 'in l pivotal relation with the tongue portions 3a. of thepiston rod 3. As shown in Fig. 1 of the draw-y ings, this wedge member 4is substantially triangular in shape and is provided with straight, flatside portions 4b and 4c arranged to engage the wedge guiding roller 9and the shiftable roller I respectively. As shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, the pointed end of the wedge member 4 is positionedintermediate the wedge guiding roller 9 and the shiftable roller I0.

The wedge guiding roller 9 is stationarily mounted on an axle 9a, whichis arranged in xed relation with the casing 5, as shown best in Figs?. 1and 2 of the drawings. The casing 5 is pro* vided with a flat plate-likeportion' 5b`which forms a track which is arranged to be engaged by thepiston rod guiding rollers 1 and 8 at their upper sides, as shown bestin Fig. 1 of the drawings. The wedge guiding roller 9 extends through aslotted `portion c in the plate-like portion 5b, as shown best in Fig. 1of the drawings, maintaining the upper side 4b ofthe wedge member 4 inslight spaced relation'from the lower side of the plate-like trackportion 5b of the casing member 5, all as shown best in Fig. 1 of thedrawings. v

The shiftable roller -lIl is supported on the roller supporting lever IIby means of the axle member Illa. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings,the roller supporting lever II is provided with a recess portion IIa inwhich the shiftable roller I0 is mounted and arranged to freely revolve.

` The roller supporting lever II is pivotally mounted on a bolt IIbwhich is xed in relation with the casing 5, as shown best in'Figs. 1 and2 of the drawings. The roller supporting lever II is provided with a camportion Ilc beneath the recess portion IIa., which cam portion IIc isarranged to engage the upper end of the rivet squeezing plunger I2, allas shown best in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The rivet squeezing plunger I2 is a substantiallyconventional rod-likereciprocally mounted plunger arranged to engage rivets at its endportions I2a in opposed relation to the end portion |411I of theadjusting screw I4.

Ihe adjusting screw I4 is arranged in screwthreaded adjustable relation`with the yoke 6 which is a stationarily mounted substantially U-shapedframe member. This yoke G is conventional and forms a rigid support forthe casing 5 together with the cylinder l and connecting mechanism. Thisyoke 6, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, is shown fragmentarily andthe upper portion 6a in which the rivet squeezing plunger IZ is mountedis integral with the lower portion 6b in which the adjusting screw I4 ismounted providing a rigid structure for holding the adjusting screw i4in .certain -relationwith .the rivet squeezing plunger` l2 foraccurately clinching rivets therebetween."k

opposite ends of this plunger supporting spring I3 are positioned inrecess portions I2b in opposite side of the upper end of the rivetsqueezing plunger I2, as shown best in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings.The middle portion Iilb` of this plunger supporting spring I3 ispositioned around the rivet squeezing plunger 2, as shown best in Figs.1 and 2 of the drawings.

The pressure regulating valve I5 is mounted at one side of the pressurecylinder I and is in cornmunication with the interior of the pressurecylinder' I at the pressure side 2a of the piston 2 as shown best inFig. 4 of the drawings. Intercommunicating' with th'e cylinder I and thepressure regulating valve I5 are the nipples I5a and 15b in connectionwith the elbows I5c and I5d. These nipples I5a and I5b, together withthe elbows I5c and I 5d, are substantially conventional hollow tubularconductor members and are arranged to support one end of the pressureregulating valve I5. This pressure regulating valve I5 is provided withan opening 15e therein communicating with the interior of the cylinderI. Positioned in communicative relation with this opening I5e is a ballvalve member l5f which is supported by the compression spring I5g whichis held in compression by the screw I5h, all as shown best in Fig. 4 ofthe drawings. The ball valve mem-ber I5f is arranged to stop the passage-of fluid outwardly from the cylinder i `through the opening I5e, inaccordance with the compression of the spring I5g. Positioned incommunicative relation with the ball valve I5f at opposite sides thereofare openings I5y' arranged to conduct fluid outwardly from the openingI5e when the ball valve I5! is pressed backwardly toward the screw |571,by predetermined pressure of uid in the cylinder I. Integral with thescrew I5h is-a hollow cylindrical portion I5lc arranged in surroundingrelation with the casing portion I5m of the pressure regulating valveI5.

Integral with the screw I5h is a shaft I5n on which is iixed'the valveoperating gear I 6, as shown best in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The dial and bracket member I8 is secured on the casing 5 by means ofthe screws 18a and this dial and bracket member I8 forms a journalforthe extending end of the shaft |511 and journal for the shaft Ila of thevalve operating gear I1, as shown best in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings, the valve operating gears I6 and I'Iare arranged in meshed relation with each other and the shaft I'la oftheyalve operating gear I1 is provided with a handle Ilb for use inturning the valve operating gears I6 and II, together with the shaftI51z. for adjusting the tension oi the compression spring I5g by meansof the screw I5h.

Secured on the extended end of the shaft I5n at the opposite side of thedial and bracket I8 from the valve operating gear I6 is the dial pointerI9. This dial pointer L9 is arranged for use in cooperative relationwith the dial designations IBb which are for use in setting the tensionof the compression spring I5g upon the ball valve member I5f tocorrespond with a predetermined pressure in the cylinder I for squeezingvarious sized rivets the sizes of which are numerically indicated on thedial and bracket member I0 by the designations 18h.

The operation of our rivet squeezer is substantially as follows: When itis desired to squeeze rivets and clinchthe-same by our rivet squeezer,

the operator thereof proceeds as fol1ows:f;.'I'-'he operator mustiirst.determine.thediameter size of rivets which he desires to squeezeintermediate the rivet squeezing plunger I2 andthe adjusting screw I4 ofour rivet squeezer. If `the operator of our rivet squeezer desires tosqueeze and clinch rivets which areone-eighth of an inchin diam-y eter,for example, the operator sets the dial point.- er I9 in relation withthe designation I8b on the dial andbracket member I8 correspondingto thedesignation mark I/8. When. the dial pointer I9 pointstoward thedesignation mark I/8, the screw I5h is positioned in certain relationwith the compression spring I5g providing a certain pressure on the ballvalve I5f whereby the pressure in the cylinder I against the piston 2 isautomatically released at a predetermined point so that an individualsettingof the'dial pointer I9 for each different size of rivet, 'makesadjustment V.of the pressure regulating valve I 5 corresponding. to thepressure required to properly squeeze and clinch various sized rivets.When the operator has set the pressure regulating valve I5 for a certainsized rivet, fluid under pressure is admitted into 'the cylinder I atthe side 2a of the piston 2 by means of the valve mechanism A and thepiston 2 is shifted toward the casing 5 forcing the wedge member 4between the wedge guiding roller 9 and the shiftable roller I pivotingthe roller support-v ing lever II on the bolt I Ib and forcing the rivetsqueezing plunger I2 downwardly into engagement with the rivet beingsqueezed. When the pressure in the cylinderr I against the piston 2reaches apredetermined point, the ball valve member If is forced towardthe screw I5h and the uid pressure is released through the opening |57in the pressure regulating valve casing member I5m.

It will be here noted that the wedge member 4 intermediate the wedgeguiding roller `9 and the shiftable roller I0 exerts an equal pressureon theshiftable roller III at any longitudinally shifted relation of thewedge member 4 relatively with the shiftable roller I0 and the wedgeguiding roller 9.

It will be obvious that when the pressurey regulating valve vI5 is setto release the pressure in the cylinder I at a predetermined point, therivet squeezing plunger I2 exerts a certain predetermined pressure onthe rivet intermediate the, portion I2a of the rivet squeezing plungerI2 and the portion I4a of the adjusting screw I4, as shown best in Fig.1 of the drawings. The adjusting screw I4 may be positioned in variouslyadjusted relation with the rivet squeezing plunger I2 without changingthe eiect of the rivet squeezing plunger I2 on the rivet being squeezedintermediate the adjusting screw I4 and therivet squeezing plunger I2.The pressure on the rivet being squeezed is substantially the` samewhether the piston 2 moves'its full stroke or only a short distance inthe cylinder I providing an arrangement whereby the operator merely setsthe dial pointer I9 in corresponding relation with the desired rivetsize and proceeds to squeeze rivets intermediate the rivet squeezingplunger I2 and the adjusting screw I4. As indicated by dash lines inFig. 1 ofthe drawings, the wedge member 4 passes between the wedgeguiding roller 9 and the shiftable roller II) and extends outwardlythrough an opening in the casing member 5 which is covered by the covermember 5d.

With each reciprocal operation of the rivet squeezing plunger I2 towardthe adjusting screw I4, the plunger supporting spring I3 is compressed.-As .the piston 2 'is' operated in the' re-y y verserdirection towardthe valve mechanism A, theplungersupporting spring I3 forces thefrivetsqueezingv plunger I2,4 together with the roller supporting lever I I,upwardly to substantially4 thef solidv line position, as. showny in Fig.V1 of the drawings. ,Y

It will be here noted that the valve mechanism A is a substantiallyconventional structure and' is nol part-of my present invention and thatthis valve mechanism A, is arranged to force the piston- 2 in bothdirectionsin the cylinder vI, as

indicated by dash lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings.v

reciprocally mounted in said pressure cylinder,

a wedge member with opposed straight sides its fullv length pivotallyconnected at its one endl with said piston, guide rollers vcarried byand on opposite sides of said pivoted end, guide means for said rollers,a roller supporting lever pivotally mounted in substantial alignmentwithy said wedge member provided with a roller at its free endengageable with one straight side of said wedge member, and a rivetsqueezing plunger in operative relation with said lever adjacent saidroller.

2. yIn a rivet squeezer of the class described, the combination of apressure cy1indera piston reciprocally mounted in said pressurecylinder, a wedge member with opposed straight sides its full lengthpivotally connected at vits one en`d with said piston, guide rollerscarried by and on opposite sides of said pivoted end, guide.V means forsaid rollers, a roller supporting lever pivotally mounted in substantialalignment with said wedge member provided with a roller at its free endengageable with oneI straight' sideof said wedge member, a rivetsqueezing plunger in operative relation with said lever adjacent saidroller, and a fixed positioned wedge guiding roller at the oppositestraight side of said wedge member in opposed relation with said rivetsqueezing plunger. A

3. In a rivet squeezer of the class described, the combination of apressure cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in said pressurecylinder, va wedge member with opposed straight sides its full lengthpivotally connected at its one end with said piston, guide roller meansin connection with saidpivoted end, guide means for said roller means. aroller supporting lever pivotally mounted in substantial alignment withsaid wedge member provided with a roller at its free end engageable withone straight side of said wedge member, and a rivet squeezing plunger inoperative relation with said lever adjacent said roller.

4. In a rivet squeezer of the class described, the combination of apressure cylinder, a piston reciprocally mounted in said pressurecylinder, a wedge member with opposed straight sides its full lengthpivotally connected at its` one v vend with said piston, guide rollermeans in con' nection with said pivot'ed end, guide'mens for said rollermeans, 'a roller supporting lever plvi otally mounted in substantialalignment .with said wedge member provided with a roller at .itsfreeyend engageable ,Withvone' straight side of said .wedge member,y arivet squeezingwplunger in operative relation with said lever adjacentsaid roller, and a stationary Wedge guiding `roller at the oppositestraight side of Said Wedge mem ber in opposed relation with saidrolleron the free side of -said pivotally'mounted lever.y

5.` In a rivet squeezer, la casing, a .power piston-rod movable intosaid Casing, a partition in the casing abovethe path of movement of therod, a, wedge member having a lower Wedge and being pivotallyyconneotedtoand movable with the rod, guide rollers carried by and onoppositesides, of the mounting for the wedge member, said guide`rollersv moving at all times in contact with said partition,` a pressureroll mounted in the casing remotefrom the guide rollers, saidpressureroll being at all times in Contact with the upper surface of theWedge meinber, an operating lever pivotally `mounted at one end in the'casing below the guide .rollers, the `free end of the lever terminatingsubstantially in line With the pressure roll, a roller carried by thefree end of the lever in vertical alinement with the pressure roll andat all times in `contact with the lower wedging surface of the Wedgingmember, and a rivet squeezing plunger operated in the movement of saidlever, the operativev movement of the piston-rod causing the Wedgesurface of the Wedge member to vertically displace the free end of thelever to operate the squeezing plunger, the guide rollers constantlyapproaching the pressure roll during such operation and serving toincrease the resistance of the Wedge member against upward displacementthroughout a length pro portionate with and commensurate to theroperative stroke of the wedging surface of the wedge member relativethe free end of the lever.

ROBERT M. RANDALL. BURTON C. MANDEVILLE.

